The top 10 games of the season so far

Football, due to the very nature of the sport, is characterised by an inexplicable passion that inevitably manifests itself on the field. Players on fire pouring aggression all across the field, fueled further by millions of die-hard fans is often the way in which we picture football.

From the ongoing season of Barclay’s Premier League, here’s a list of the top ten games played hitherto:

10. Norwich City v/s Arsenal, 1-2, 19^th Nov

Robin van Persie, a great leveller.

Wenger’s latest creation offered exquisite passing, quicksilver counter-attacking, a striking predator in Robin Van Persie who worked in perfect pass-and-move harmony with intelligent team-mates. Arsenal, it seemed, were back to their swashbuckling best and ready to mount a charge for a top four spot with Robin van Persie’s goals in the 26^th and 59^th minute as a reply to Steve Morison’s 16^th minute goal.

9. Liverpool v/s Manchester City, 1-1, 27^th Nov

Vincent Kompany scoring on a glancing header.

Vincent Kompany’s header in the 30^th minute made the scoreboard tick to 0-1 with City leading. But a self-goal in the 32^nd minute by Joleon Lescott led the score to 1-1. City, reduced to 10-men after substitute Balotelli was sent off, were saved from suffering their first league defeat of the season by goalkeeper Joe Hart as Liverpool attacked wave after wave in the second half. A fast-moving game of growing grandeur, a reminder of the resilience of Roberto Mancini’s title-chasers and Liverpool’s undeniable blossoming under Kenny Dalglish.

8. Wigan Athletic v/s Blackburn Rovers, 3-3, 19^th Nov

Yakubu scores a late penalty to salvage a draw for Blackburn.

With both teams scoring a goal each in the first ten minutes of play ensured an exciting game between the two. Wigan leading at the half-time, experienced an equalizer came at the 59^th minute in the form of header from Hoilett. Crusat scoring at the 89^th minute thought that he finished the game for his team. But a controversial 96^th minute penalty ended the game in a draw. It will take quite a match to usurp this encounter as the most bizarre game of the season.

7. Blackburn Rovers v/s Arsenal, 4-3, 17^th Sep

Yakubu elating with joy after scoring his second goal of the game.

It may not have been as damaging as the humiliation at Old Trafford, but the fragility on display showed just how deep dysfunction was at Arsenal back in September before their rejuvenation. Twice the visitors led, through Gervinho and Mikel Arteta. Twice their focus lapsed, allowing Yakubu to score, and twice they turned the ball into their own net. Implausible.

6. Manchester City v/s Tottenham Hotspur, 3-2, 22^nd Jan

Balotelli scoring a magnificent penalty.

As much as the first half was bald, the second half was nail-biting. Having three goals scored in the small space of 5 minutes made the crowd stand on their feet in frenzied excitement. City enjoyed its one-goal lead till 64^th minute, when an equalizer came in the form of a stupendous kick by Gareth Bale from the penalty area. Predicted as a draw by many spectators as well as the commentators, the game changed its course in the 93^rd minute when a penalty was awarded to City which Mario Balotelli successfully converted into a goal, only to seal the match at 3-2.

5. Tottenham Hotspur v/s Manchester City, 1-5, 28^th Aug

Edin Dzeko celebrates his first hat-trick for Manchester City.

Spurs were handed a lesson by a brilliant City side led by Edin Dzeko who scored four for Roberto Mancini’s side while Sergio Agüero, the new boy from Atlético Madrid, scored on the hour mark as the Argentine registered his third goal in three games.

4. Chelsea v/s Arsenal, 3-5, 29^th Oct

Robin van Persie celebrates in the background as John Terry rues his slip.

Following a disappointing start to their season, Arsenal claimed their biggest win of the season so far when they headed west to Chelsea who, themselves, were suffering a wobble. And wobble they did when Florent Malouda made a pass back to Chelsea captain John Terry who lost his footing before Robin van Persie, a hat-trick scorer on the day, stepped up to take advantage of some uncharacteristic sloppiness. With a goal just before the half-time and the full-time, the attendance of 41,801 was on their feet throughout the match.

3. Fulham v/s Queens Park Rangers, 6-0, 2^nd Oct

Hat-trick hero, Andy Johnson, led his team to a comfortable victory.

Fulham’s Andrew Johnson scored the first goal in the first minute of the game proving the game to be the worst nightmare for the QPR. Fulham’s 20^th minute penalty was transformed into a goal by Danny Murphy. Dempesy and Zamora scoring a goal each and Johnson’s two more goals ensured Fulham a comfortable victory.

2. Manchester United v/s Arsenal, 8-2, 28^th Aug

Rooney scoring his third goal of the day from the penalty spot.

Arsenal suffered their biggest ever defeat in the Premier League era as Manchester United shredded Arsène Wenger’s defence at will. Trailing the hosts 3-1 at half time the north Londoners were still in with an outside shout of taking something from Old Trafford until a six-minute spell scoring three goals in the second half saw Arsenal crushed. The 80^th minute penalty to Rooney made him the hat-trick striker of the day.

1. Manchester United v/s Manchester City, 1-6, 23^rd Oct

Why always me?

City, who had failed to score fewer than two goals in any of their Premier League games this season, travelled to Old Trafford in October for what had been billed as one of the most highly-anticipated Manchester derbies for years. Unfortunately for the champions, though, it was their noisy neighbours from Eastlands who won the plaudits as they outclassed Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in every department. A brace for Mario Balotelli and Dzeko and a goal apiece for Agüero and David Silva saw City humiliate United on their home turf while scoring two goals in the 3 minute extra time.

These games showcased football finesse in full display as players put their hearts and minds to the sport. It has been an action-packed season, and from the looks of it, the games ahead are bound to be an absolute treat for football fans the world over.